Wavemaker idea

[coraline79]

The other day I had my hand in the tank and I noticed how much turbulence I made with slight movements, and I thought I might try to build a seudo wavemaker.

I started researching the current versions on the market, but I can't bring myself to invest $500 for this, and when they have come up cheaper here on Maast, I always seem to be out of money!!!:(

Most of the options out there involve many points of failure as they are usually pump driven or water driven mechanical devices. I thought if I make something that worked like my hand(shallow paddle moving back and forth), I could get a lot of movement without a lot of force. I have actually seen something similar somewhere, where a bar slides down the length of the tank creating waves, but that would be too intrusive.

My idea would be to get an intermittent windsheild wiper motor, and configure a paddle that spanned the depth(front to back) of the tank. It would be mountable and the depth would be adjustable. I found that even 1 inch in the water my hand could make some serious currents.

Has this been tried, or is there something out there that works like this?

Parts would be less than $100, and the arm would be a solid piece. This would make the motors gears which look to be worm driven(fairly strong) the point of failure, and it wouldn't be in direct contact with the water.

Give me some input if you like. It's just a thought at this point.

Thanks

[hobogato]

it sounds like a great idea, just make sure you have a way to fine tune the speed which will determine the frequency of the wave.

[ErikH]

It sounds like a feasible idea, but you would have to be able to fine tune it to the right frequency/pattern.

[hobogato]

[ErikH]

it sounds like a great idea, just make sure you have a way to fine tune the speed which will determine the frequency of the wave.

It sounds like a feasible idea, but you would have to be able to fine tune it to the right frequency/pattern.

...enter the twilight zone music....

[Jarob]

i just use a scwd with a mag 9.5 on my 20L and it creates amazing waves and current along with a HOB fuge. there are so many turbulent currents you can visibly see its crazy. Let me know how this works for you

[Texreefer]

I used to use a surge bucket,, I have a great new design that does not require any piping in your tank. the bucket would still have to sit above the tank and the tank would have to be able to handle up to 1 to 5 gals dumped into it all at once.. if anyone is interested I can find someone thats good with acyrlic and we can build a prototype and maybe use a local shop to show how it works

[Texreefer]

sorry , not trying to steal the thread... just make sure your device is rust proof and easily removable if you need to access the tank from that area

[hobogato]

i wonder who would be interested in that.....

I used to use a surge bucket,, I have a great new design that does not require any piping in your tank. the bucket would still have to sit above the tank and the tank would have to be able to handle up to 1 to 5 gals dumped into it all at once.. if anyone is interested I can find someone thats good with acyrlic and we can build a prototype and maybe use a local shop to show how it works

[coraline79]

i just use a scwd with a mag 9.5 on my 20L and it creates amazing waves and current along with a HOB fuge. there are so many turbulent currents you can visibly see its crazy. Let me know how this works for you

I don't have a mag 9.5 hooked up to mine, but I have it T'd off of my 1500gph iwaki 70rlt, and it is not worth the time it took to plumb it in. junk!